Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
February 2008
PASTOR'S PEN
Forty Days…
As of this writing, we have
just entered into the church season of Lent. Lent begins with Ash Wednesday
and is observed during the 40 days (excluding Sundays – which are considered
‘mini Easters’) leading up to Easter. This year, Ash Wednesday was February
6, and so, Easter will be on March 23. (The days change from year to year
because these dates are based on the lunar calendar.)
In any case, Lent is
observed for forty days. It’s not 7 days (a week), a month (30/31
days) or any other length – it’s forty days. Why forty? Why not any
other number? These questions led me to ponder about the significance of the
number itself – at least in the biblical sense.
Actually, the number forty
comes up pretty often in the Bible. Beginning with the flood in Noah’s time
in which it rained for forty days and forty nights…the
Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years…Moses was up on
the mountain for forty days and forty nights when he received
the Ten Commandments from God…when Jonah preached to the people of Ninevah,
they repented and fasted for forty days…the prophet Elijah fasted on
Mt. Horeb for forty days…Jesus, after his baptism, went into the
wilderness himself and fasted for forty days.
The above is not a
comprehensive list, but it does show us that the number forty holds a
certain significance for the biblical audience. And when you look at the
events surrounding the number, you see a pattern: they were transitional
times in which it usually led to something new that God was doing. The flood
led to a new covenant with the Israelites (with the rainbow as sign), the
wandering in the wilderness prepared the Israelites to finally enter the
Promised Land, as Moses received the Ten Commandments it was the first step
in the Israelites becoming a organized nation. Jesus’ forty days in the
wilderness was a transitional for him as he prepared to enter his public ministry.
In the same way, Lent is a
time not only for reflection and repentance (as is traditionally seen), but
it is also a time for preparation and transition into something new that God
is leading us to. Actually, the reflection and repentance is something that
should be preparing us for the ‘new thing’ that God has in store for us. So
Lent is not a time for us to just become ‘more spiritual’ or ‘more repentant’
than other times, it’s a time in which we anticipate and prepare for the Easter
event – when God shows us God’s surprising, amazing power and leads us
into something new.
So, during these forty days
of Lent this year (or however many days are remaining for you), I invite all
of us to be in a posture of openness and prayer as we prepare and look forward
in anticipation to the Easter event that will happen in each of our
lives – when we are led to the wonderful, new thing that God brings. You see,
friends, Easter was not just an event that happened thousands of years ago –
it’s still happening, within and among us!
Come, and join the journey
of Lent and Easter with us…
Blessings,
Pastor Grace Kaori Suzuki
DEACONS' REPORT
Gung Hay Fat Choy! Happy
Valentine’s Day! Just as February is a month to celebrate many special
holidays, so do we celebrate the lives of all of you in our community of
faith. And we have much to celebrate: Welcome to our new, and congratulations
to those who were married in January.
We, as Deacons, are here to serve and
minister to those in need, but also want to celebrate the joys in your life
and encourage you all to know full joy in the Spirit. We are commissioned to
be good stewards of God’s gifts: to listen, comfort, share, restore,
encourage, motivate, build, empower, equip and mobilize each of you in your
walk with God. You can call upon us if you need a prayer partner, a ride to
the doctors’s office, or just someone to go to lunch with.
Please be in
prayer for our world and those in our community.
If you have any prayer
requests or needs, please contact the church office.
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP:
The Deacons would like to thank the individuals who
contributed to the coffee fellowship during the month of January, and on 1/27/08
for a special refreshments for the Youth-led Worship & Scout Sunday.
The Deacons are aware that there are others who contribute but do not sign up
on the list. We wish to thank you also.
“Rejoice always, pray without
ceasing, in everything give thanks:; for this is the will of God in Christ
Jesus for you. 1Thessalonians 5:16-18
Jan Der, Co-Moderator
ARTICLE OF INTEREST
Clerk's Report
The Session, at its regular
meeting on Sunday, January 27, 2008, discussed and acted on the following
items:
Approved
the revisions to the church’s by-laws. Final approval will be voted on at the
congregational meeting on February 3, 2008.
Session
appointed the Elder Commissioners to Presbytery.
Adopted
covenant with Covenant Presbyterian Insurance Program, Inc. in acknowledging
our duties in protecting God’s property.
Nominated
a Church Treasurer and will have the congregation vote on the nomination at
the congregational meeting on February 3, 2008.
Granted
vacation and study leave for the Pastor.
Approved
serving communion on the first Sunday of the month and with the Seder Meal on
March 21, 2008.
ARTICLE OF INTEREST
New Year and Remembrance
With a month of 2008 already gone, the year
seems to fly by. The New Year means many things to many people. The popular
New Year meaning can be FRESH, NEW, YOUNG, INVIGORATING. The New Year can
mean a new start, a new page in our lives.
For those of us who see life more ‘in the
past’, this is a time of reflection of fond memories of the years past gone
with accomplishments achieved.
Nisei members who joined the church in the 50’s
lived through crucial events which impacted the church. Not only did they
live through difficult times, but prayerfully made decisions and
contributions to make the church what it is today. We should be reminded of
the church’s key decision to remain in Japantown after we were displaced from
the old church site on Post Street. The decision was made based on the
intrinsic mission of the church…. to serve Jesus Christ in the Japanese
American community.
To abandon the old site and to build a brand
new church building meant a commitment of leadership and money. When I think
back to those dedicated Nisei leaders who no longer are with us, we can only
be thankful that they were instrumental to set the future course for the
church.
As I sit in the pews on Sunday mornings, I
notice the gradual decline of Nisei attendance. Soon they will be gone like
our Issei pioneers. We have a rich history of the church’s ministry to San
Francisco’s Japanese American community. As we see changes in our
worshippers, let us remember all those who came before us who paved the way to
keep Christ United Presbyterian Church a viable ministry in San Francisco’s
Japantown.
To our Nisei pioneers, thank you!
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
January 2008
PASTOR'S PEN
A Day of New Beginnings…
“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new
creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything is becoming new!” -
II Corinthians 5:17
There is something about ringing in the “New
Year” – something about watching the ‘ball’ fall to the ground in Times Square,
or changing our calendars anew, or for some, clicking to the next page in our
Blackberry screens and seeing ‘2008’ instead of ‘2007’. The new year is
oftentimes an opportunity for us to look back at our lives in the previous
year, and look forward to the coming year. We celebrate and hope to continue
the things that were positive in the past. We also vow to make amends or change
things that were less than positive for the future…for the new year gives us a
sense that it is a time of new beginnings.
As a Christian, I am also reminded
that in Jesus Christ, our lives are constantly given opportunities for ‘new
beginnings’. As in the Bible verse above, God has created us anew in Christ,
and continues to do so – day by day, year by year. I believe that the part we
are asked to do by God, is to ‘let this happen’ as we open ourselves up to God
and to the working of the Holy Spirit.
One of the most famous contemporary
hymn writers of our day, Brian Wren, has put this beautifully in a hymn titled,
“This is a Day of New Beginnings” (1983) – and so I would like to share it with
you…
This is a day of new
beginnings,
Time to remember and
move on,
Time to believe what
love is bringing,
Laying to rest the
pain that’s gone.
For by the life and
death of Jesus,
Love’s mighty Spirit
now as then,
Can make for us a
world of difference,
As faith and hope
are born again.
Then let us, with
the Spirit’s daring,
Step from the past
and leave behind
Our disappointment,
guilt, and grieving,
Seeking new paths,
and sure to find.
Christ is alive and
goes before us
To show and share
what love can do.
This is a day of new
beginnings;
Our God is making
all things new.
|
I pray that as we ‘ring in the new year’, it will
be a time of new spiritual beginnings for all of us – as we allow God to
continue the renewing creation within and among us!
Blessing for 2008 and always,
Pastor Grace Kaori Suzuki
DEACONS' REPORT
Happy New Year!! It’s amazing that 2007 has come
and gone by so quickly. The Deacons have been blessed by being able to continue
to do God’s work this past year. We have been able to reach out to members and
friends of CUPC by either home visits, phone calls, or by sending cards. The
Deacons along, with the help of others, provide and oversee the Sunday coffee
fellowship. I think we have the best “goodies” and I want to thank all who have
contributed this past year. Another major event the Deacons were involved in
was the annual Thanksgiving dinner. It was a delicious meal and a good time was
had by all. We were able to donate the proceeds to both the Network Ministries
and the Covenant Presbyterian Church Food Pantry. Our most memorable event this
year was the 2nd annual Deacons-led worship service. Our theme this year was
peace and harmony. We sang and presented a skit around this theme. Our hope was
to provide a fun and meaningful message. Based on our feedback, I think we
succeeded. These are a few of our ministries we were able to fulfill this year.
I want to thank our Moderator for his dedication and leadership. He has
graciously accepted to serve another term as a Deacon. I would also like to
thank our Deacons for their service over the past years and their term comes to
an end. The Deacons would like to welcome 2 new Deacons for accepting God’s
call to serve as Deacons. A Deacons retreat is scheduled for January 6th 2008.
Please be in prayer for the world and those in our community.
If you have any
prayer requests or needs, please contact the church..
COFFEE FELLOWSHIP:
The Deacons would like to thank the following individuals who have
contributed to the coffee fellowship during the month of December. Also a
heartfelt thanks to the people who provided special snacks for our Christmas
Sunday coffee fellowship.
The Deacons are aware that there are others who
contribute but do not sign up on the list. We wish to thank you.
Irene Woo, Vice Moderator
ARTICLE OF INTEREST
Hope for 2008
The New Year, 2008, arrived with the usual hope
for peace and prosperity expressed by people throughout the world. But, along
with this genuine longing, is the feeling of anxiety and fear shared by so many
of us in this country.
People are anxious to end the disastrous war in Iraq
where our soldiers and Iraq civilians are killed and maimed by the
thousands....not to mention the refugees who had to flee to Syria, Jordan, and
other countries to avoid the havoc of war.
The first presidential caucus has
begun today, January 3. This year the primaries are set months earlier than
before. The California primaries are scheduled for February. All of these
changes show our anxiety for a new direction in the years ahead.
It is our
call as a citizen and as a Christian to make our choice for our next leader who
can bring God’ children together to live in peace with justice throughout the
world.
Kathy Reyes
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